'Life of Pi' wins eco-award, the back story of the 'Dog Whisperer' and more

In this week's Ecollywood wrap-up, there's plenty to catch on the tube and beyond.

The new movie “Life of Pi” received a Green Seal from the Environmental Media Association for its sustainable production while filming in director Ang Lee’s native Taiwan. The 3-D film about a boy and a (mostly CG) tiger, cast adrift together after surviving a cargo ship’s sinking, followed Fox’s Green Guide by renting hybrid cars for transportation, providing reusable water bottles, and transmitting information digitally whenever possible. A 1.7 million gallon water tank was constructed from concrete made fly ash, a waste from coal burning power plants, thereby diverting the material from the waste stream. It also uses less energy to produce, and less pollution is generated in the manufacturing process. The tank was donated post-production for use in future films, and the water was treated and turned back into potable drinking water.

***

The Red Cross’ relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy got a boost last weekend from GBK’s gifting suite in honor of the America Music Awards, which donated 100% of proceeds to the cause. The L.A. chapter also promoted their Prepare L.A. campaign and handed out mini first aid packs. Another nonprofit, A Rose of Thanks, encouraged attendees to sign cards that will be sent to Sandy victims and military troops overseas.

In keeping with the rock ‘n’ roll event, some items were on the edgy side, like custom jackets and hoodies from Street Youth Couture For Unwanted Kids, and accessories form Michelle Roy Los Angeles, some with skull motifs. She repurposes vintage and flea market finds for new pieces, and makes cool reusable take-out coffee cup sleeves from scraps of leather ($48-$88).

Tune in: On History Channel’s “Invention USA,” an eight episode series premiering November 28, hosted by inventors Scotty Ziegler and Reichart Von Wolfsheild, the search for the next big thing includes such items as a floating survival pod for people caught in floods and a backpack device that makes water from air.

A dog that swims with a dolphin, a cat that plays with an owl, an orphaned cheetah that romps with a puppy, and a badger and a fox that are best buddies are a few of the examples of unusual interspecies bonding included in Nat Geo Wild’s two-night, four-hour event “Unlikely Animal Friends,” premiering November 23 and 24. Wild chronicles Cesar Millan’s journey from immigrant to world-famous dog trainer in “Cesar Millan: The Real Story” on November 25, followed by sneak peek at his new series “Cesar Millan’s Leader of the Pack,” following his efforts to find homes for damaged, “unadoptable” dogs.